Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698943587159.pdf (South Africa)
MEMORANDUM FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY OFFICE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR WRITTEN REPLY QUESTION 857 DATE OF PUBLICATION OF INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 17/03/2023 INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 10 OF 2023 Ms R N Komane (EFF) to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation: Following the brutal murders and attacks against students in tertiary institutions over the past few months, (a) what immediate intervening steps has he taken to ensure that security is strengthened in (i) institutions of higher learning and (ii) all accredited student residences and (b)(i) by what date(s) will the specified intervention(s) be implemented and (ii) how will it be monitored?
NW963E REPLY: The Department) has been working towards finding mechanisms to address the scourge of violence on campuses and residences.

Following several engagements with the sector the Department undertook to develop a programme of engagement with all relevant stakeholders with the aim of developing strategic partnerships across the sector to address issues of violence and violent cultures on university campuses.
This work was progressed through engagements with Universities South Africa (USAf), South African Police Service (SAPS) and Campus Protection Society of Southern Africa (CAMPROSA.

The aim is to assess and understand the different threats experienced by universities and identify urgent matters that need to be addressed at institutions, including the need to improve the capacity of institutions to maintain peace and keep campuses safe and secure.
The training of security officers placed on campuses and student residences was identified as one of the areas that should be prioritised.

USAf committed to work closely with SAPS and CAMPROSA to ensure that universities security officers are well trained.

A training manual will be developed to ensure that training of security officers across universities is standardised.
In terms of monitoring the Department has committed to meet with universities through CAMPROSA to discuss progress on training of security officers.

All universities were requested to provide some basic information to the Department detailing immediate plans to address safety and security matters, and highlighting areas that require urgent intervention to improve safety and security, including infrastructure-related projects to be prioritized.
This information was scrutinized to identify projects that could be urgently funded through earmarked grants.

Funds were made available to universities through the Infrastructure and Efficiency Grant towards safety and security projects over six distinct cycles.

To date an amount of R519.344 million has been allocated to universities for projects aimed at improving security at universities.
The Department is also supporting the Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs) to improve institutional infrastructure and facilities including enhancing security fixtures on campuses and residences.

The programme is implemented in five-year cycles, accompanied by an annual allocation of the Sibusiso Bengu Development Grant.
An amount of R240 355 836 has been allocated to HDIs over a five-year period to implement the approved projects aimed at enhancing overall campus and residence safety at universities.
The projects approved under the two earmarked grants include, but not limited to, upgrading of CCTV surveillance system on various campuses and residences, improving access control technology to enable advanced access control management, installation of perimeter fencing and enhancement of lighting in certain areas of residences and campuses.

Universities submit to the Department audited progress reports of projects funded through the earmarked grants annually.
It is required that each report should be accompanied by a financial and narrative report indicating the progress in implementing the funded projects.

In addition, the Department also conducts institutional oversight visits to verify the information submitted to the Department, discuss the implementation progress of each project approved and funded and assist where there are blockages in implementing the projects.
The Minister has also commissioned research through the University of Zululand to assess the state of safety and security at universities in South Africa, what security measures exist on campuses, and what university management has done to promote safety and security.

Amongst others, the methodological approach used was the review of universities security policies and procedures and undertaking physical audit of security infrastructure.
There is also a Ministerial commitment to establish a National Task Force on safety and security in PSET institutions.

The development of the Terms of Reference for this work is underway.

The Department and Heads of security of universities have also agreed to meet every quarter to assess progress with developing common security standards and norms, so as to develop a security blue print similar to that established for the TVET sector, as well as improving lighting at campuses.